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The 10 Best Campgrounds for Colorado Leaf Peeping

by Elon JonesSep 9, 2022
The 10 Best Campgrounds for Colorado Leaf Peeping

Colorado leaf peeping is a breathtaking experience. Imagine sitting back on a bend of the Platte River and admiring the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of the aspen trees with a mug of hot cider in your hand. 

If you want an memorable Colorado leaf peeping adventure that your family won’t forget, then imagine horseback riding, mountain biking, and climbing up the wild, remote heights of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain range. 

Here are four activities your whole family will enjoy while leaf peeping in Colorado, along with the best campgrounds to stay at for each type of experience.

Relax While Leaf Peeping in Colorado

endless trees for Colorado leaf peeping

Leaf peeping in Colorado wows you with the full range of majestic yellows, oranges, and even reds. But because temperatures get colder faster, fall in Colorado is a short season. 

The aspens will be at peak brilliance for only 7 to 10 days, but you’ll be able to see their shifting shades from September 15  to October 15. 

Enjoy leisurely strolls through the fall foliage. Relax in a heated pool. Or cast a line in the river as you watch the stunning colors. 

For those who have relaxation at the top of their list (but are still game for fun activities), these campgrounds have hundreds of acres to explore on foot and enjoy with your family. 

1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Larkspur – Larkspur, CO

lobby, eating area, and pool at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Larkspur

Nestled between Denver and Colorado Springs, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Larkspur is an all-inclusive experience that has a little something for everyone. It’s 100 acres of Rocky Mountain relaxation.

If you’re up for a treasure hunt, you can go geocaching with the kids and even take them gem mining. 

The Run-Down:

Airport: Denver International Airport

Where to Go: Spruce Mountain Trail, Colorado Renaissance Festival

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Hiking, geocaching, gem mining, playground, outdoor theater 

2. Aspen Acres Campground – Rye, CO

cabin at the Aspen Acres Campground

Enjoy hiking the Greenhorn Mountain Trail through the Rockies without having to traverse mountain passes to get to your campground. 

Conveniently located close to I-25, Aspen Acres Campground is easy to get to and close to boating, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking locations like Greenhorn Mountain Trail.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)

Where to Go: Greenhorn Mountain Trail

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Hiking, boating, fishing, mountain biking

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3. Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center – Greely, CO

yurt nestled among trees within the Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center

For a unique retreat into the relaxing fall foliage of Colorado, check out these Lotus Belle Glamping Yurts at Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center. 

If you’ve never been glamping as a family before, then you’re in for a treat. It’s basically like staying in a hotel—except you have a whole lot of space for your kids to run around! These beautiful yurts are circular and furnished to sleep up to four people.

Explore 235 acres with your pets and fish from the banks of the Platte River.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Greeley Weld County Airport 

Where to Go: South Platte River

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Fishing, hiking, boating, tubing

4. The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchard – Hotchkiss, CO

red apples on tree

Want to really get in the fall spirit during your Colorado leaf peeping adventures? Pitch your tent under the trees of Big B’s Delicious Orchard. 

In the morning, you can pick your own apples, then go on a little wine tour of Hotchkiss, Colorado. Wind down your day with some award-winning cider at the Big B’s Delicious Orchard Cafe, while you let nature take your breath away as you enjoy the live music.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

Where to Go: The Storm Cellar, Mesa Winds Farm and Winery

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: U-pick apples, wine tasting, hiking, live music

Ride the Trails While Colorado Leaf Peeping

four horses grazing against Colorado leaf peeping backdrop

If you like to imagine what it was like in the days of the Old West, then the hurricane deck of a horse is a great way to go Colorado leaf peeping.

Riding horseback can take you deep under the leaves of Gunnison National Forest and surround you with the sights and sounds that the old cowboys must have heard as well.

Colorado is also known for its adrenaline-pumping mountain biking trails. But take the time to enjoy your surroundings on the way up because coming down is not the time to look around.

5. Campfire Ranch on the Taylor – Almont, CO

driveway turnout with Colorado leaves and mountain

If you’re looking for a base camp in the quiet of Colorado’s backcountry, then Campfire Ranch has what you need.

Or rather, it doesn’t have what you don’t need. 

Campfire Ranch on the Taylor is a tent-only campground. That means no noisy generators, no idling vehicles, and no slamming car doors in the middle of the night.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)

Where to Go: Gunnison National Forest, Crested Butte

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Hiking, horseback riding, climbing, mountain biking, fishing

6. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park – Estes Park, CO

view of snow-topped Colorado mountains and trees from Estes Park campground

When you stay at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park, you don’t need to leave the park to go on your next leaf peeping adventure. This campground sits right in Roosevelt National Forest. With a playground, Gaga ball, mini-golf, and more, there are plenty of ways to experience the fall foliage with the family.

That being said, Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are a short drive from the campground, and these boast exciting mountain biking, rock climbing, and bouldering opportunities. 

The Run-Down:

Airport: Denver International Airport (DEN)

Where to Go: Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Mountain biking, rock climbing, bouldering, mini-golf

Take Colorado Leaf Peeping to the Peaks

Colorful fall leaves against mountains for Colorado leaf peeping

It’s no secret that the Rockies are a rock climber’s dream come true. With peaks soaring over over 9,000 feet, your Colorado leaf peeping trip will gain a new perspective. 

Climb to the heights and look back out across the sea of orange and red foliage. Black Canyon, the Garden of the Gods, and Rocky Mountain National Park all have guided tours for rock climbers.

7. Mountainside RV Park – Somerset, Colorado

Gunnison River bend with mountain behind

In the North Fork of the Gunnison River, the perfect rugged mountain getaway rests among the aspens. Quick access to Gunnison National Forest means pristine leaf peeping destinations are just a hike, ride, or climb away.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

Where to Go: Gunnison National Park, Black Canyon, Crested Butte

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Mountain biking, rock climbing, bouldering, fishing

8. Riverbend RV Park and Cabins – Montrose, CO

two RVs parked against Colorado leaves and trees

Here’s another restful Colorado campground where you can bring your RV or stay in a cabin during your Colorado leaf peeping trip. The park is on the bend of the Uncompahgre River, perfectly situated for fly fishing. 

Riverbend is also between Gunnison National Forest and Black Canyon for daily excursions.

The Run-Down:

Airport: Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

Where to Go: Black Canyon, Gunnison National Forest

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Fly fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, bouldering

Go Colorado Leaf Peeping Through Ghost Towns

cabin in the colorful Colorado woods with yellow leaves

Seriously, what better way to prepare for Halloween than leaf peeping through Colorado’s ghost towns? 

Deep in the San Juans lie several ghost towns from the old mining days of the Colorado silver strike. Explore Animas Forks, Alta, Carson, Eureka, and more on foot, bike, or ATV, and teach your kids some history at the same time.

9. River Fork RV Park Campground – Lake City, CO

Uncompahgre River with Colorado fall foliage for leaf peeping

River Fork RV Park is the perfect base camp to explore the San Juans. You can access ATV trails directly from camp. Wade in the Uncompahgre River and cast a line surrounded by the foliage. Or enjoy a round of golf at a course off-site.

The Run-Down: 

Airport: Montrose Regional Airport

Where to Go: Animas Fork, Alta, Carson, Eureka

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: ATV trails, hiking, fishing, golfing

10. San Isabel Lodging – Rye, CO

cabin nestled in the woods

A peaceful getaway in the San Juans, San Isabel is high in the Rockies. Take a short walk to Lake Isabel where you can do some Colorado leaf peeping while paddling leisurely across the alpine lake. Or take a short drive to Bishop’s Castle, which was built entirely by one man over 60 years. 

The Run-Down:

Airport: Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB)

Where to Go: Lake Isabel, Bishop’s Castle, San Isabel National Forest

What to Do While Leaf Peeping: Paddling, hiking, fishing, sight-seeing 

Make Your Colorado Leaf Peeping Road Trip Your Own

So what kind of leaf peeper are you? Do you prefer to relax and slowly absorb fall in Colorado with a mug of hot cider in hand? Or would you rather get your blood pumping as you look out from the heights of Colorado’s remote peaks? 

The choice is yours. The possibilities are endless. Go make the memories!

Elon Jones believes the world would be a better place if we all got outside more. Native to Tampa, Florida, she enjoys sailing—preferably to Cayo Costa—and exploring new trails with her three daughters.

Image credit in order of appearance: Adobe Stock – Joshua, Adobe Stock – Dean Pannala, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Larkspur, Aspen Acres Campground, Platte River Fort Resort and Event Center, The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchard, Adobe Stock JDRoss75, Campfire Ranch on the Taylor, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Estes Park, Adobe Stock – Scott Book, Mountainside RV Park, Riverbend RV Park and Cabins, Adobe Stock – Jon Camrud, River Fork RV Park Campground, San Isabel Lodging